COMM 1010: A GUIDE FOR OUTLINING YOUR SPEECH
Part A: AUDIENCE AND OCCASION ANALYSIS:
(This information is for your instructor; you will not SAY this out loud in your speech)
Specific Goal:My audience will ______(explain what you expect your audience to experience, feel, or learn).
Pattern Of Organization: I’ve chosen the [chronological; spatial; topical; or cause-effect] pattern of organization because ______.
Audience Analysis:Explain briefly how you will present your topic in a way that is interesting to your specific audience of students.Discuss here what “value added” (new knowledge) you will give to your classmates.It is unethical to waste their time by telling them information that they already know.
Occasion Analysis:Explain how your speech is appropriate to the specific circumstances and location where it will be given (in this case, an academic/ professional/informative occasion).
Part B: SPEECH OUTLINE:
(Use this outline as your speaking notes when you deliver your speech.)
You must cite at least one expert reference out loud as part of the support for EACH main point,
for a total of at least three authoritative references.
Speech Title: ______
Introduction:
I.Hook (attention-getter):Cite an incident, tell a story, or use an example that will interest the audience in your topic.
II. Indicate your expertise with this topic (could be moved to your first main point).
III. Thesis: This sentence summarizes your “teaching point”(central message) for your audience.
IV. Preview: List your main points here in very brief form (no more than 5 words per point).
First, …
Second, …
Third, …
[Transition: Write here a transition from the preview to the body: ….]
Body:
I.First major point (write as a complete sentence)
[Under one of the pieces of evidence supporting this point, include a reference.]
A.evidence to explain or support this point (short phrase only)
1. detail about this evidence (short phrase only)
2. another detail about this evidence (short phrase only)
3. A third detail about this evidence (short phrase only)
4.-5. Fourth and fifth details, as needed.
B.another piece of evidence to explain or support this point (short phrase only)
1. detail (short phrase only)
2. detail (short phrase only)
3. detail (short phrase only)
C.a third piece of evidence to explain or support this point (short phrase only)
1. detail (short phrase only)
2. detail (short phrase only)
3. detail (short phrase only)
D. one or two more pieces of evidence, as needed.
[Transition: Write here a transition from point 1 to point 2. Use a complete sentence.]
II.Second major point (write as a complete sentence)
Follow the same pattern as for Point I above.
[Under one of the pieces of evidence supporting this point, include a reference.]
A.evidence to explain or support this point (short phrase only)
1. detail about this evidence (short phrase only)
2. – 5. Additional details (short phrases only)
B. - D.additional pieces of evidence to explain or support this point (short phrase only), with details, in the same format shown above.
[Transition: Write your transition from point 2 to point 3. Use a complete sentence.]
III. Third major point (You may add a third main point, developed in outline form, as above.)
Conclusion:Write down the words you will say as you end your speech.You may use complete sentences here, but do not read your conclusion.
I. Summary of key points.
II. Review of thesis.
III. Memorable message.
TIP: In the conclusion, echo your thesis and preview, using different words than you used in your Introduction. Then draw the speech to a close with a brief memorable message. Do NOT introduce any new material in the conclusion. Practice your ending until it feels “final.” Don’t be tempted to weaken a fine speech by adding a lame “that’s it” at the end.
Works Cited:Include a list of authoritative references (at least three) that you used to gather facts for your speech.List references in alphabetical order by authors’ last names.Include dates and places of publication.For Web references, include the author or sponsoring company, common name of the Web site, and URL (available at www. ....)
Example Citation:
Adler, R & Elmhorst, J. (2013). Communicating at work: SLCC custom text (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill.